Lindt & Sprüngli: Organic growth highest-ever at 12.5%

In 2004 Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG topped two billion in sales and posted its highest-ever organic growth of 12.5% in local currencies. In Swiss franc terms, Group sales were up by 12% to CHF 2.016 billion (2003: CHF 1.801 billion). All Group companies (except Poland) contributed towards this encouraging result. The slightly lower growth in Swiss francs is explained by the fact that sales in the euro, which was trading somewhat higher against the Swiss franc, were unable to compensate completely for the losses incurred as a result of the weaker US dollar.
For Lindt & Sprüngli, as leading company in the premium chocolate market, the financial year 2004 was a success in practically every respect. Most European markets grew somewhat faster than in previous years. Overall the U.S. market showed only marginal growth of around 1.5%. Given the worldwide global trend towards high-quality confectionery products, Lindt & Sprüngli s strategy – launched ten years ago – of focusing on premium-quality chocolate in existing and new markets continues to secure substantial long-term growth potential for the group. The company expects that the percentage increase in EBIT and net income will be higher than the growth in sales. The complete financial statements will be published on 15 March 2005.